Ever since joining the local chapter of The Ancient Order of Hibernians – more than 40 years ago – Joe Sipsey has been a hard-working, loyal member.
This year, he’s being recognized as the group’s Irishman of the Year. It’s the highest award given to a member and bestowed only once in a lifetime. He will receive it at a March 7 dinner.
“Joe has been a longtime member, probably about 43, 44 years. He’s been a very faithful member, attends monthly meetings whenever he can,” said Bill Sullivan, president of District 8, Essex County. “He’s a good, hard worker. Various times when we’ve needed things, he’s helped out. Always helped out, giving a hand.”
The Ancient Order of Hibernians, according to its website, is the oldest and largest Irish Catholic fraternal organization in the United States. Founded in 1836, it promotes Irish culture, heritage and history, and is guided by the motto “Friendship, Unity and Christian charity.”
Sipsey, 81, a Methuen resident who’s originally from Lawrence, was invited to join, along with his brother, George, by a friend, Jack Leahy.
The all-volunteer chapter, which meets monthly at the Elks Lodge in Lawrence, previously owned a building on Appleton Street in the city.
Sipsey spent a lot of time preparing the hall for functions and bartended at various events. In March, it was more like “St. Patrick’s Month” than St. Patrick’s Day, he said.
“Of course, March was a big month down there,” Sipsey recalled. “I spent almost a whole month in the building, setting up for functions or bartending. It was good.”
Sipsey worked for Honeywell, where he was a supervisor, for more than 25 years, and was employed at Velcro in Manchester, N.H., for 17 years where he was a machine operator.
A widower twice, he has three children – Timothy, Stephen and Jodie – and three grandchildren.
Both of his parents were Irish. His father’s mother, Nelly Sullivan, was born in Ireland in 1870 and came to the United States.
“She had a hard life,” said Sipsey, whose Methuen home features a small flag of Ireland and a green sign that reads “Erin go Bragh.” “She left because of the famine. She lost her husband. He was only 39 when he died.”
“She lost her daughter who was only 20, I think, at the time,” he added. “She lost two sons in World War I.”
According to Sullivan, his group does many activities and good deeds throughout the year, including holding a corn hole tournament in the fall, organizing a food drive to help people in need, supporting a pregnancy care center, awarding scholarships and hosting a Christmas party.
“We have something going just about every month,” he said.
As Irishman of the Year, Sipsey will have the opportunity to walk or ride, if he chooses, in Methuen’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 21.
He said he’s made many friends in AOH over the years. He was chosen for the award by a committee.
“The people they’ve picked over the years are great people,” Sipsey said. “Usually it’s someone who’s done a lot of volunteer work.”
